“Thanks.”
Darius drove through the parking lot, astonished to see people walking into the gym with lawn chairs. “You are popular.”
Sasha was all smiles, waving to people as they passed. “This is crazy!”
Darius parked, and they walked inside, the gym exploding with applause. People sat on the floor or in lawn chairs, everyone facing the rock wall. He was surprised to realize how many of them he recognized. Most of the Team was here. Marcia and Cheyenne, too. Hank. Rose. Bob and Kendra. Even Bear, who looked a little lost.
Eric Hawke passed them with Vicki and their two kids. “Hey, Silva.”
“Are we violating the fire code, chief?” Darius joked.
Eric glanced around, grinned. “Twice over, I’d guess.”
Then Bowen hurried over to them, gave Sasha a kiss. “I had our route-setter freshen things up last night. Five-ten through Five-fourteen—they’re all brand new.”
“Thank you, Bowen. I think I’ll warm up on the bouldering wall.”
“You do whatever you want, baby girl.” Bowen gestured to the room around them. “Mi casa es su casa.”
Darius knew Sasha was excited, but he could see worry in her eyes, too. He leaned closer, kissed her cheek. “You’ll do great.”
Bowen shouted to the crowd. “She needs to warm up. Make room, people!”
Sasha dropped her gym bag by the front desk, then stretched, the room silent. “This feels weird, folks. Talk to each other, for God’s sake!”
Laughter.
Megs helped her stretch, the two of them talking together, trying to decide whether Sasha should tape her wrist. Darius found himself grateful that Sasha had Megs in her life. Megs was the only person on earth who could fully understand what it was like to be a woman climber on top of the sport.
When Sasha was ready, she walked over to the bouldering wall.
People turned their lawn chairs, some applauding.
She tested a few holds, moving slowly and deliberately upward, even hanging by her right hand for a moment, with Megs and Nicole encouraging her from below.
“How does that feel?” Megs called up to her. “Any pain?”
Sasha smiled. “No. It feels great.”
She topped out to cheers, then downclimbed and walked over to the big rock wall, people turning their lawn chairs once again. She chose her route and roped in, Nicole tying in to belay her, Megs standing near Nicole like a worried mother.
Bowen seemed barely able to contain his excitement. “She’s going to try to on-sight a five-fourteen.”
Sasha motioned Darius over, and he made his way through the throng.
“Kiss me for luck?”
He lowered his lips to hers. “I don’t think you’re going to need luck.”
Then he stepped back, stood next to Megs.
Sasha shook out her hands, and then she was off, a hush falling over the room as people raised their phones and started to film.
But, hey, no pressure, Sasha.
Darius had never watched her climb in person, and it stole his breath. She moved with a mastery that few people would ever have, part world-class athlete and part artist.
Beside him, Nicole took up the slack, encouraging Sasha. “You’ve got it.”
